Dear Readers, This is how BLM explains the trapping of 11 wild horses. The Deer Run herd has been zeroed out. They were going to star in an upcoming book, but I can't write as fast as BLM can strip our horses from the range. Please note: information in press release contradicts existing fact from other sources, and BLM has yet to show their documentation

Advocates say all of the horses taken away TODAY.

BLM
Nevada News

Carson City District Office No. CCDO 13-26

For Release:February
26, 2013

Wild Horse Bait Trapping Effort in
Carson City to Continue

in Order to Prevent Safety Issues

BLM to Hold Adoption of Gathered Horses

Carson City, Nev. – On Jan. 23, 2013, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Carson City District Office began removing 11 problem wild
horses on the outskirts of Carson City, Nevada.The horses are a part of the Pine Nut Mountains herd management area
(HMA) that is adjacent to Deer Run Road in Carson City.These horses routinely cross the Carson River
into River View City Park, where the BLM has received several complaints of
people feeling threatened by the wild horses.The horses are outside of HMA boundaries the majority of the time and
residents, especially horse owners, can quickly find themselves in potentially
dangerous situations as domestic wild horse encounters can be very
unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Two weeks ago, after gathering five of the 11 horses, the
BLM took a break from bait trapping due to some community concerns, and the BLM
met with constituents to hear their position and potential solutions.The community group submitted ideas that were
considered, but they did not address and resolve all of the public safety
problems.The BLM has posted the
community’s proposals, as well as its information regarding the viability of
these solutions, on its website at www.blm.gov.

“While the BLM recognizes that these horses have been part
of the community out here for many years, we also have a responsibility to keep
wild horses from creating a safety hazard or threatening the well-being of the
community and its animals,” said Leon Thomas, Sierra Front Field Manager.“We truly appreciate the ideas people
provided us for alternative solutions, but after thoroughly considering each
one, they won’t truly eliminate the concerns from other community members.The community has offered a proposal that is
a great starting point for working with local residents and the city to ensure
we have long-term solutions in place, so we don’t find ourselves in this
position again.I’m looking forward to
getting the various groups involved.”

Four horses have been struck and killed by vehicles since
2010; however, the Carson City District isn’t always notified of collisions, so
this number could be higher.Since June
of 2011, the district has removed five stallions in response to complaints.These complaints ranged from concern for the
safety of residents’ children, as some of these stallions approached residents’
children in an aggressive manner while the children were riding horses or
caring for their own horse, to other stallions that were fighting with domestic
horses through fences.In all
complaints, there were safety concerns and property damage.

The BLM follows the Code of Federal Regulations 4720.2-1,
which mandates the removal of strayed animals from private lands based on
written request from landowners.The
bait trapping is in response to several complaint letters the BLM has received
in past months from private landowners.

The gathered horses will be offered for adoption as soon as
possible, hopefully within in the next month or so, at Silver Saddle Ranch, and
details will be forthcoming and will be posted on the BLM Nevada website at
www.blm.gov.

The appropriate management level for the Pine Nut Mountains HMA
is 119 to 179 with a current population of 293, so relocating these horses away
from homes to a different part of the HMA would only add to the existing
resource issues.Additionally, the
horses could move back to the neighborhood if released.Any animals removed will be transported to
the Northern Nevada Correctional Center outside Carson City, and prepped for
the upcoming adoption.

-BLM-

SAY GOOD-BYE

Dear Readers,
Do you remember this photo of Virginia Range orphan Rocky, the Rockstar "dancing" in a human house, all decked out in his diaper?
He's growing up and trying out different gear now and PALOMINO ARMSTRONG, rescuer of many wild foals, sent along a letter and photos of his progress."Because of snow and ice, my plans to
take the Rock Star out in the round pen to be "saddled up" were foiled.
Thanks to our awesome nursery though, I was able to safely bring him in
and we practiced saddling up.

"Man" enough to wear pink (and a saddle)

First of
all, I know he is a boy, and the blanket is pink. But he is a very
manly mustang and can wear it well. Also, the saddle does not fit him
properly (of that I am well aware), but for saddle training it is
perfect. It is light and, as he will only be about one year old
on March 12, 2013, that is very important. It also has the appropriate
things to hang on his sides and the straps to go under his belly and
between his legs.

"As is very
evident, the Rock Star has absolutely no concern about wearing his gear
and moving around in it. He trusts us completely and loved the
attention. By the time he is ready to ride, the gear should be about as
comfy and non-existent as his mane to him."

If we can't get BLM to change their treatment of wild horses out of a sense what's humane and right, we must make them allow cruelty while the whole world is watching.

The case of Laura
Leigh v. Ken Salazar, U.S. Department of the Interior, et al continued in
Federal Court in Reno, Nevada, February 19, 2013.

Two years
ago, Leigh, a photojournalist, claimed viewing restrictions at the Silver King
roundup of wild horses violated her First Amendment rights. Though she was
denied injunctive relief, Leigh appealed.

The case
continued with an emphasis on the press and public’s diminishing opportunities
to document wild horse round-ups throughout the West, beginning in 2001 and
continuing to the present.

Witnesses included:
Elyse Gardner, humane observer at Pryor Mountain, Twin Peaks and Calico Complex
round-ups; Sally Summers, director of HorsePower, an organization which
originated Nevada license plates which picture a wild white horse and burro,
proceeds from which benefit equine rescue; Bill Bauer, a veteran observer of
round-ups in several states and Terri Farley, author of fact-based fiction and
an early observer of wild horses round-ups in the Calico Complex.

As testimony
ran into the second half of the day, Judge Larry Hicks issued a “heads up,”
saying witnesses had established variable and diminishing opportunities to view
wild horses at round-ups and BLM pens, however the court needed clarification
on what constituted reasonable viewing opportunities.

Over the
objection of Department of Interior Attorney Eric Peterson, Judge Hicks declared
Leigh “the most knowledgeable journalist to observe wild horse roundups,” and
let her take the stand to define reasonable access.

Citing the
number of worldwide readers who depend on her research, Leigh insisted “unobstructed
views” of her subjects and the ability to identify mustangs as individuals was
most important.

On
Wednesday, February 19, Federal witnesses are expected to state safety concerns
regarding public attendance at the wild horse roundups and facilities they
manage.

Photographer Cat Kindsfather first sighted RUNNING SAGE in the wild.

Dear Readers, Most of us want wild horses home on the range. When BLM or the Nevada Department of Agriculture rips them off their lands and threatens their lives, however, we step up to help. Mustang photographer Cat Kindsfather first photographed a dappled gray colt she called Running Sage in the wild. When he was rounded up, she came to his rescue and he now shares pasture land with other herd members who were taken away from their wild homes.

Dear Readers,

Photo from RETURN TO FREEDOM

Whether you're working on a school project or simply curious, if you have questions about where wild horses came from and where they're going, this new ABOUT WILD HORSES page at RETURN TO FREEDOM will be lots of help.

Enjoy!

Dear Readers,Many of you are writers. Like me, you struggle to select words that will bring your characters to life.One of the best descriptions I've heard comes from an unlikely place: President Obama's State of the Union message earlier this week.

Such an important speech must've been crafted by several people, so I don't know who gets the credit for this description of a victim of gun violence, a teen named Hadiya Pendleton.

"She was 15 years old. She loved Fig Newtons and lip gloss. She was a
majorette. She was so good to her friends, they all thought they were
her best friend..."

In a few sentences, we know this girl. That's the beauty and the heartbreak of good writing. Best,

Dear Readers, Discovery of horse meat substituted for beef in British groceries has led reporters to stories that sound like the basis for a grotesque new thriller, except that sources confirmed the ugly truth of Romanian peasants selling wild horses and worn-out work companions to an underground economy trafficking in disguised horse meat and Secret Slaughter

Not all contributors to secret slaughter are struggling for survival. Horse meat analysis reveals the presence of performance enhancing drugs used in equine athletes.

How to You Pick the Right Mustang for YOU

MUSTANGS 4 US is a website that's been described as Disneyland for Mustang-lovers and it will give you some questions to consider. From color and conformation to where to find a "used" wild horse, you'll discover guidance forChoosing the Right One

Plus the site has lots of cool stuff, including t-shirts with this logo

Want to Bond with a REALLY Wild Horse?

BLM is trying something new. If you are experienced with wild horses & a qualified adopter you might be lucky enough to adopt one of 20 yearlings available this Saturday, February 9, right where they were captured. For more information, check out:Adopting a mustang on its home range

After you adopt

There's lots of help available to assure you & your mustang get off to a good start. If you want to learn to put your HEAD where your HEART is, check out WILD HORSE MENTORS .

Back From the Brink of Extinction

In 1997 only 30 Poitou donkeys of France were left alive

Many think the Poitou (pronounced roughly like this: pwah two) was originally bred as a mate for horses to produce huge, strong mules, but in the Middle Ages they were prized as riding animals for the rich because of their extremely friendly nature & ability to get along with other equines. In fact, today's Poitou breeders believe you should have plenty of land if you want Poitous, because they love company!

When the desire for big strong mules faded, Poitous were sold off in herds, and many ended their lives on dinner plates.

Now, thanks to a conservation program, it looks as if the friendly dread -locked donkeys will survive.